Rocky Mountain Tracking » GPS Tracking Devices

Idaho Copper Thief Nabbed Thanks to GPS

Khristen Foss — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:00:32 +0000

In today’s age of economic woes, copper theft is on the rise. The high price of copper coupled with desperation on the part of thieves has led to problems all over the country related to its theft: tornado warning sirens failing to sound due to thieves stealing the copper wiring which power them, power outages due to stripped transformers which also rely on copper wiring, and inoperable wells and pumps on desert farms who rely on these wires to bring much needed water to their crops. Contractors all over the country are experiencing thefts from their incomplete homes, an easy target for thieves as there is no one home to stop them, doors or windows often left unlocked.

Officers in Burley, Idaho decided to do something about it and began embedding GPS tracking devices right into the wiring which led to a recent arrest in Cassia County. Sheriff Randy Kidd reports Jorge Ernest Castillo, 38 of Burley, along with a 15-year-old accomplice were arrested for alleged grand theft thanks to the GPS locating device and “good old law enforcement.” The copper he stole was worth an estimated $1,200.

Kidd, in a press release, calls out would-be thieves and tells them to beware: “Let this be a warning to potential copper thieves, the next roll of wire that you take may be the one that has our tracker embedded in it and you will be next.”

Officers planted a spool of copper wire complete with GPS device in a rural area in Cassia County as bait to attract a thief. After a period of time, officers were alerted that the spool was on the move, around 5:24pm. They followed the signal given out by the embedded device and were led directly to the suspect’s car. The arrest of Castillo and his accomplice is the second arrest attributed to the location device in the last two years.

Kidd stated he planned to use these devices as much as his budget would afford, as the department must not only pay for the $800 device itself, but for the activation of the tracking system as well. Kidd feels these tracking devices are the most effective tool they could possibly rely on to capture copper thieves.

Castillo is being held at the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The minor was released to his parents.

GPS Tracking Device Critical in Boat Accident Rescue

RMT GPS News — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:00:31 +0000

GPS tracking devices have been responsible for scores of happy endings, from lost dogs being returned to their owners to stolen possessions being recovered to Alzheimer’s patients being found after wandering away from home. Perhaps one of the most exciting of these stories occurred off the coast of Sydney, Australia when a GPS-equipped EPIRB beacon saved the lives of four people after their fishing boat sank.

Two boys and their dads were out on a fishing excursion when, for unknown reasons, the boat was compromised and began sinking rapidly. In less than a minute, the four passengers were left floating in icy water, kept afloat by their life jackets and a cooler. Scott Smiles, one of the dads, also grabbed an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) which alerted rescuers that they needed help. The beacon sent a signal to the NSW Police marine area personnel, pinpointing the group’s location and ensuring their rescue in less than an hour.

EPIRB beacons are safety beacons which, when activated, broadcast the beacon’s location to search and rescue teams. They are commonly installed on boats, with many countries requiring commercial ships to carry them. Owners of pleasure boats and yachts often take advantage of the safety reassurance offered by the devices as well. While not all EPIRBs have GPS tracking devices installed, those that do can broadcast an exact location to a network of search and rescue satellites, enabling rescuers to identify the position of the beacon and send help immediately. This information often proves vital in reducing the amount of time needed to find survivors and increasing the chances of survival. Without the technology, a rescue such as the one near the Australian coastline could take days.

Search and rescue teams credit GPS-equipped EPIRBs with enabling them to perform their jobs more efficiently. By pinpointing the location of the carrier, the beacon can give rescuers the information they need to save lives while reducing search time by hours or days.

The remarkable rescue in Australia can be attributed both to the forethought of the boat owner in equipping the craft with the safety beacon and the quick thinking of Mr. Smiles in grabbing and activating the beacon before the boat went down. With the aid of the EPIRB, a story that could have ended tragically resulted in another happy ending that can be added to the accomplishments of GPS tracking devices.

GPS Now Viable as a Theft Prevention Method

John Chapman — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:00:23 +0000

It wasn’t very long ago that the idea of a handheld device that could show you exactly where you were on the planet, down to a range of ten feet or so, was revolutionary. Next, that technology was incorporated into a tracking system consisting of a transmitter (attached to the thing you wanted to track) and a receiver, that showed you on a display exactly where the tracked object was. This tracking system is now used in multiple fields, from keeping tabs on paroled convicts, to monitoring use of city-owned vehicles, to checking up on teenagers whose use of the family car may push the boundaries of parental guidelines. Now, one GPS device manufacturer is advertising that its trackers are a cost-effective way for retailers to combat theft.

At first, placing a GPS tracker on individual items in case someone steals them might seem grossly inefficient. After all, these devices are still relatively pricey. But exceptionally expensive items, like vehicles, cutting-edge electronics, and jewelry, just might be good candidates for tracker installation. The manufacturer, GPS Intelligence, advertises trackers that are smaller than ever before, making them easy to hide and hard for a thief to notice and dispose of. If a store owner can pull up a map showing the current location of a stolen item, his chances of recovering it and/or helping police capture and prosecute the thief are very good. In addition, notifying the public that GPS trackers are in use would be a powerful deterrent to professional shoplifters looking for an easy target.

Another valuable use for retailers is tracking shipments and containers, rather than individual products. Organized crime groups sometimes steal entire shipments en route from factories and distribution centers to stores. If these shipments contain a large number of expensive products, the loss can be devastating for its owners. A single GPS tracker hidden inside a shipment could allow its owner to keep an eye on its progress and recognize immediately if it was being taken off its original route. Quick action by police would recover the stolen goods as long as they could find them before the thieves discarded the GPS tracker.

Executives at GPS Intelligence, LLC, an Arizona-based tracker manufacturer, hope that by informing retailers of this valuable application of their products, they can sell more of their devices and help make a dent in the annual retail loss rate—currently estimated in the billions of dollars.

Navigation Apps Encroaching on Sales of Handheld GPS Devices

Khristen Foss — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:00:09 +0000

Smartphones have taken the world by storm, with more and more people all over the world purchasing them each day. It’s easy to see why. These little gadgets bring the power of the internet and GPS technology to the palm of your hand, wherever you may be, all by a few screen taps and swipes. Anything you can imagine doing on your computer can likely be done right from your phone.

One notable feature of these powerful devices seems to be bringing the handheld GPS device to extinction: the variety of navigational apps on the market which perform just as good as the latest dash mounted standalone navigation device. Garmin’s sales in the third quarter of 2011 dropped 11.4 percent, and their CFO blames the popularity of both smartphones and dashboard-integrated GPS in cars.

Unfortunately, not all navigation and map apps are created equal. As amazing as the smartphone may be, its GPS technology is not as reliable or simple to use as a handheld or dash mounted GPS device. With Garmin as an example, their Nuvi 3790LMT model offers 3D images of streets and voice recognition and a simple user interface that keep people serious about their navigational capabilities shelling out the money to purchase this product, whether they own a smartphone or not. Besides, who wants to strain to see the details on the map displayed on the tiny screen of your phone? It is much easier to see the handheld navigation device’s screen.

If you’re one of the many who rely on your phone to tell you how to get to where you are going, you should heed Consumer Reports’ Jim Travers’ warning: “There are plenty of free options available, but we’ve found you get what you pay for.” His advice is to pick an app developed by one of the major GPS device manufacturers like Tomtom, Garmin, Navigon and Magellan. “It’s no surprise that the companies whose GPS navigators do best in our testing also make some of the top apps for the iPhone,” says Travers. Prepare yourself to pay as much as $60, but if you are planning on using the navigational app often, this amount is well worth it.

According to Consumer Reports, some extra savings are available by selecting a limited region when downloading maps, or watching for sales. If you plan on using this technology on a daily basis, you might want to invest in a handheld GPS device you can mount to your dashboard to ensure ease of use, reliability, and most of all, sanity.

How High-Risk Dealers Should Use GPS

Admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:00:21 +0000

GPS tracking technology protects dealership assets. Hunting down a hidden car is now a thing of the past. Yet, there are right ways and wrong ways to use a GPS tracking
system.

Things to Avoid While Using GPS

There’s no need to hide the use of a GPS tracking system. In fact, informing your clients about GPS is a good idea. A client contract should include GPS information, and sales people should be able to tell clients about any GPS tracking device. There are also some things to avoid when installing GPS trackers.

1. GPS for All: if you are going to use GPS tracking devices, make sure that you use them on all vehicles. It is illegal (in most states) to only install devices when a buyer has a particularly bad credit record.

2. Additional Client Payments: do not ask clients to pay for a GPS system. Buyers should not have to pay any kind of GPS fee. If you want to buy a large number of GPS trackers, speak with an RMT associate about bulk rates.

3. Avoid the “Miracle Clause”: it is not a good idea to tell buyers that a GPS system can help rebuild credit. While it’s true that making payments on time will help build credit, a car dealership that masquerades as a credit repair outfit may be acting illegally.

4. Hidden Details: if you choose a tracker that shuts down an engine or performs any other tasks, do not hide these details from your clients.

5. Proper Removal: if a client makes all necessary payments, or buys a vehicle, a GPS tracker installed by a car dealership must be removed.

Useful Information for Dealership Owners

Thousands of car dealership owners across the world are now using GPS technology. As long as a car dealership owns a vehicle, this technology can be used. GPS trackers are both versatile and efficient making these devices highly useful. The following information is true for most GPS trackers.

· Movement: a GPS tracker can be moved from one vehicle to another without any extra costs.

· Installation: GPS trackers can be installed quickly. Further, these devices can be placed anywhere on a vehicle.

· Ease of Use: trackers can be used as soon as you install a device on a vehicle. All you need is a computer to begin tracking any vehicle.

Protecting your assets with a GPS tracker is simple. Remember to inform customers about the use of GPS tracking devices, and you’ll quickly discover that the days of tricky repossession are far behind you.

A“maize”ing GPS

Admin — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:00:32 +0000

Who would have thought that farmers use GPS tracking to carve out their “maize mazes” every year? Corn mazes have become increasingly popular entertainment venues in recent years, and farmers are searching every year for new and more interesting patterns for their mazes. Now GPS technology is helping to make better mazes and draw more public interest.

GPS tracking uses satellite communication to pinpoint locations and follow moving objects and people. A GPS device sends signals to satellites, which determine its latitude and longitude and then relay that information to the user via computer or phone. That information can be noted at specific intervals or continuously, and can be downloaded and saved for later study or also watched in real time. This opens a whole new world of possibilities for corn maze owners.

Maize mazes are cut when a field of dense corn has grown about one to three feet high. After this initial cut, the owner only has to weed and keep paths clear. When the corn reaches about ten feet, the maze is opened for business. In the past, maize mazes were cut using a grid and a map. The process was time consuming and had to be done very carefully. Now, some companies can cut a maze in just four hours. They use bobcat tractors with GPS trackers to follow the pattern precisely.

Besides allowing farmers to cut out a maze accurately and efficiently, devices are also adding to the fun for maze visitors. Some mazes are experimenting with giving customers hand-held devices to track their own position and progress in the maze. Teachers are getting in on the excitement too; schools are taking field trips to mazes, giving each group a GPS device, and using the fun to teach kids about geography and technology.

A maize maze is a source for good, old-fashioned family fun, and now that fun has been combined with new-fashioned technology for an even better experience. This is just one example of how recreation can benefit from technology. “Outdoorsy” people already know the benefits of GPS for hiking and hunting. The same ideas might soon be applied to all kinds of activities—how about a scavenger hunt? The only limit is staying where GPS can tell where you are; that opens a globe full of possibilities.

H2O and GPS Fight CRIME!

Admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:59:20 +0000

British Telecom (BT) has been facing the problem of copper theft for many months now. As the economy becomes worse, more and more thieves have started to target telecom companies (such as BT) in order to steal copper cables. By using GPS technology and teaming up with a company called SmartWater, BT aims to fight back at thieves.

SmartWater manufactures a clear liquid that resembles regular drinking water. Each liquid that the company manufactures is unique, and each bottle of SmartWater contains a specific “chemical code” that is registered to one user. If an object that has been dabbed with SmartWater is stolen, police can determine who the object belongs to by using an ultraviolet light. BT plans to use SmartWater technology in conjunction with GPS anti-theft devices in order to stop metal thieves.

Most telecom cables contain copper, which can be sold at a high price. Until this point, metal thieves have been able to easily steal cables costing companies such as BT millions of dollars. Not only is this type of theft costly for cable companies, but it also affects “…the millions of people who rely on access to phones and broadband… (Bernie Auguste, Head of BT Security).” Using GPS technology, police can track a stolen object. Once the object has been located, SmartWater will allow police to positively identify an object’s owner.

GPS tracking technology can be used on its own, or it can be teamed up with other innovative technologies such as SmartWater. SmartWater is a relatively new technology that is available to both consumers and businesses. BT has unleashed its massive anti-theft plan on thieves all around Britain, and so far the results have been positive. As more and more thieves look for unique objects to steal, GPS technology has become invaluable to companies and individuals alike.

(Written by Harriette Halepis for Rocky Mountain Tracking. Source acquired via Fresh Business Thinking, August 20, 2010, England)

Can You Find my GPS GeoCache?

Admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:30:05 +0000

GPS tracking devices have a number of practical uses such as tracking stolen goods, monitoring teen drivers, recovering lost pets as well as the mundane work of getting you to your destination. But, GPS technology also is the key to a fun, economical recreational activity called geocaching. All that is needed is a GPS tracking device and a pen or pencil and you are ready to do some high tech treasure hunting. GPS tracking devices use the Global Positioning System to pinpoint the exact location of whatever they are attached to — suitcase, vehicle or person – and to record that position. The position is then displayed on a map and monitored via computer.

Geocaching has been around since about 2000 and was originally referred to as GPS stash hunt or gps stashing. Players locate hidden containers or caches and then post the location coordinates online. The playground is the world as the hidden “treasure” is located in many different countries. Upon arriving at the location specified by the passive tracking device, the player begins to look for some sort of container with a lid. When a cache is located, he or she signs the logbook inside the container. One rule of geocaching is that if you remove something from a container, you must replace it with something else.

In order to begin geocaching, go to www.geocaching.com and click on “Getting Started.” It will guide you through the simple steps to locate a treasure hunt in your area. Each cache has a name, a little background information, a clue or sometimes some simple arithmetic or a little deduction. Once you have discovered other people’s caches, you may decide that you would like to hide one yourself. Again, the geocaching website allows you to post coordinates online so that others can find it. You will enjoy reading your logbook to see who has been there.

Geocaching is a great family or individual activity with the bonus of discovering a treasure. Kids can learn about GPS tracking devices, get some exercise and fresh air, as well as experience the thrill of finding a cache. The locations are unlimited — underwater, high in a tree, accessible only by going far off the beaten path or by climbing a mountain. The pursuit of a cache serves as the focal point for a vacation for some with breathtaking surroundings adding to the adventure.

(Did you know we have a contest going on right now at Rocky Mountain Tracking? Yes! Win a GPS Tracking Key from RMT by just hitting the “like” button on our Facebook page and commenting on an article of your choice, or the giveaway post – or whatever you “like”! Thanks for reading our blog too – Experience a fabulous gps tracking device – don’t just read about it! Track stuff! Enter and good luck!)

Shorter Flights and Less Fuel: GPS Tracking as Co-Pilot

Admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:59:59 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently announced that the current radar system used by U.S. air controllers will soon be replaced by GPS tracking technology. The FAA awarded a GPS tracking contract to an engineering firm in 2007, and the firm is presently working on the “NextGen” technology to make huge improvements to the present system.

The FAA believes that the new GPS tracking system will be infinitely more effective than radar, since the current radar system frequently leaves pilots in the dark. The new GPS system will allow pilots to locate other planes, and it will also allow controllers to have a better idea of where planes are when flying. Currently, controllers are unable to gain a clear picture of a plane that is flying above an ocean unless that plane is 200 miles from shore.

David Melcher, ITT Senior Vice President, told press that “there are numerous benefits to go to a GPS-based system including savings of fuel, less carbon-dioxide emissions and better-controlled ascents and descents.” In addition, “the pilots will actually have better situation awareness in the cabin, and they’ll have more air traffic information and climate information.” These are welcome changes to pilots who are used to flying longer routes simply to remain on controller radar. Imagine the fuel savings alone in switching over to GPS!

The FAA hopes that the new GPS tracking technology will be set up by 2012, though the whole system will not be functional until 2020. In the future, planes will be able to fly shorter distances, closer together, and more accurately than ever before. In addition, the new system will likely save airlines a great deal of money when it comes to fuel costs. It is estimated that more than 1.4 billion gallons of fuel will be reserved due to the new GPS tracking system. Further, this new system will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 14 million tons. The new system will be 10 times more accurate than it is today. Isn’t it time we replaced our 70 year old radar technology with proven GPS tracking?

(Written for Rocky Mountain Tracking by Harriette Halepis – Source acquired via L.A. Times, August 5, 2010)

Whatever is Fair in Love and War is also Fair in Crimefighting . . . Batman

Admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:27:08 +0000

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, throughout the past 3 years, nearly 27,656 vehicles have been stolen in Houston every year. This year, Houston police in conjunction with Nationwide Insurance have seen those numbers drop thanks to the newly devised, car anti-theft GPS tracking based, “Bait Vehicle” program.

Bait vehicles are unmarked cars that are used by police to nab car thieves. Inside of each bait vehicle is a car anti theft device and remote-control immobilizer. Remote-control immobilizers allow officers to turn a vehicle off remotely, while a GPS tracker pinpoints the exact location of a vehicle. Nationwide has placed more than 55 bait vehicles throughout the United States in an attempt to “dramatically reduce auto thefts in cities where they have been implemented” says Nationwide’s Special Investigation Unit director Peter Van Patten.

Nationwide hopes that implementing the Bait Vehicle program in other cities throughout the nation will help bring the “same results” as the city of Houston has seen. The goal of this program, according to Nationwide, is to “…help fight auto theft in the City of Houston…and to protect the citizens…” While Houston has one of the highest crime rates within the United States, the Bait Vehicle program may put an end to vehicle thefts. Nationwide is hoping other cities pick up on this excellent crimefighting tool.

Thus far, a large number of thieves have been apprehended thanks to the Bait Vehicle program. Even Batman himself would approve of a successful operation that involves high-tech gps. The city plans on continuing the program for an indefinite amount of time due to its success. GPS tracking technology has made it simple for police to locate, arrest, and jail vehicle thieves without a high level of risk. You’ve noticed the lack of the bat signal in the night sky? Batman uses gps tracking too. Shouldn’t you?

(Source acquired via Space Daily, July 30, 2010, Houston, Texas – Written by Harriette Halepis for Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc.)